Mouthpiece for skin treatment and apparatus for skin treatment using electrical energy

ABSTRACT

Provided is a monopolar skin treatment apparatus using electrical energy in a high frequency wavelength band in which a retaining ligament, a blood vessel, and a fibrous tissue of a deep part is utilized as an electricity passage to actively prevent the skin from sagging due to the aging.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.17/064,800 filed Oct. 7, 2020, which is a Continuation of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/KR2019/004383, filed on Apr. 11, 2019, whichis based upon and claims the benefit of priority to Korean PatentApplication Nos. 10-2018-0042645 filed on Apr. 12, 2018, and10-2018-0093822 filed on Aug. 10, 2018. The disclosures of theabove-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to amouthpiece for skin treatment and an apparatus for skin treatment usingelectrical energy.

Recently, various skin treatment devices have been developed to removewrinkles, restore skin elasticity, and remove sebum. A skin, which hasno wrinkle, is taut, thick, and dense without sagging, makes a personlook younger and have an attractive outer appearance.

Skin treatment devices to apply energy have been provided in varioustypes, such as an HIFU type to transmit a ultrasonic wave to a skintissue, a type (especially, a higher frequency type, a radio frequency(RF) type) to transmit an electromagnetic wave to a skin tissue, and anoptical type to irradiate a laser beam to a skin tissue.

According to the type to transmit the electromagnetic wave to the skintissue, a singular RF electrode or a plurality of RF electrodes areintroduced into a deep part, such that damaged collagen and elasticfibers are removed from the deep part of the skin using the electricalenergy, thereby promoting the regeneration of the skin. In addition,skin pigmentation, acne marks and wrinkles are improved.

Meanwhile, the skin treatment device using the electrical energy may usea DC power source and an AC power source depending on the types of powersources, and a scheme of using RF energy, which has a high frequencyband, of AC power has been mainly developed. In addition, the skintreatment devices are classified into a bipolar-type device to applyenergy a part close to an electrode and a monopolar-type device totransmit energy at a remote place to a skin tissue.

According to the bipolar-type device, electrical energy is transmittedto a shorter distance between a plurality of electrodes, and there is alimitation in that energy is intensively applied to a thin and narrowpart.

According to the monopolar-type device, electrical energy is transmittedby using a first electrode unit 1 as a power terminal and a secondelectrode unit 2 separately provided as a ground terminal (see FIGS.1A - 1D). Meanwhile, the first electrode unit 1 may include a pluralityof needle electrodes to be applied to a dermal layer to transmitelectrical energy to the deep part of the skin. However, this isprovided for illustrative purpose of the first electrode unit 1, and theform of the first electrode unit 1 is not limited to the form of aplurality of needle electrodes.

Meanwhile, a retaining ligament connects a skin to a bone, and containsa large amount of moisture, such that the retaining ligament may beutilized as an electricity passage. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , theretaining ligament is divided into several strands as the central strandof the retaining ligament is split from a bone tissue toward a skintissue (outer side). When such a support structure is weakened, thinned,and loses elasticity due to aging, a facial part may be aged.Accordingly, to solve the problem, a position, which is close to theskin to make an electricity flow similar to an electricity floworiginated from a bone, may be oral mucosa, and FIG. 4 illustratesphotographs of a part close to the skin to be used as the ground (see adotted area of FIG. 4 ).

Accordingly, when a facial surface of a skin is treated using electricalenergy, and when the retaining ligament, or a blood vessel, or a fibroustissue of the facial surface is utilized as an electricity passage, theaging and the shrinking of the retaining ligament and other structuresare recovered, thereby actively preventing the skin from sagging due tothe aging.

However, according to the skin treatment device in a typical monopolartype, when the first electrode unit 1 makes contact with a target part,and the second electrode unit 2 makes contact with a specific body part(for example, a back, an abdomen, and a hip, see FIG. 2 ), the firstelectrode unit 1 is away from the second electrode unit 2, soelectricity mainly flows only in a surface layer of the skin and aretaining ligament, a blood vessel, or a fibrous tissue of the deep partof a facial surface is not utilized as an electricity passage.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus for skintreatment in a monopolar type using a high frequency wavelength band,capable of actively improving a facial surface sagging as a skin isaged, by using a retaining ligament, a blood vessel, or a fibrous tissueof a deep part as an electricity passage.

The objects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above, butother effects, which are not mentioned, will be apparently understood tothose skilled in the art.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a mouthpiece of skin treatment,may include a frame inserted into a mouth, and a ground electrode unitdisposed in the frame. The mouthpiece may be changeable to correspond toan inner shape of the mouth.

In addition, the frame may include at least one frame, and the groundelectrode unit may include at least one ground electrode unit.

In addition, the mouthpiece may include a flexible material.

In addition, the frame may include a first frame, a second frameconnected to the first frame through a first connection part, and athird frame connected to the second frame through a second connectionpart.

In addition, the frame may include a first frame, a second frameconnected to one end of the first frame to be foldable, and a thirdframe connected to an opposite end of the second frame to be foldable.

In addition, the ground electrode unit may be consecutively andintegrally formed in the first frame, the second frame, and the thirdfame.

In addition, the ground electrode unit may include a plurality of groundelectrode units, and the plurality of ground electrode units may bedisposed at a specific distance in the frame.

In addition, At least one front tooth may be disposed in the firstframe, at least one right molar may be disposed in the second frame, andat least one left molar may be disposed in the third frame, when theframe is inserted into the mouth.

The ground electrode unit may be disposed in at least a portion betweena lip and at least one front tooth, at least a portion between a rightcheek mucosa and at least one right molar, and a portion between a leftcheek mucosa and at least one left molar, when being inserted into amouth.

The ground electrode unit may electrically interact with an externalpower electrode unit such that an alternating current (AC) current in ahigh frequency wavelength band flows.

A front portion of the first frame may have a curvature, and at least aportion of the second frame and the third frame may have a large areapart having a height increased toward a rear portion.

At least one of the first frame, the second frame, and the third framemay include a first cover disposed at an outer side, a second coverdisposed at an inner side, and a seating part interposed between thefirst cover and the second cover, and the ground electrode unit may bedisposed on at least a portion of an outer side surface of the firstcover or constitutes the at least a portion of the outer side surface ofthe first cover.

The frame may include a non-conductive material, and the groundelectrode unit may be disposed on an intermediate portion of the outerside surface of the first cover or may constitute the intermediateportion of the outer side surface of the first cover such that an upperportion and a lower portion of the outer side surface of the first coverare exposed to an outside. The seating part may be stuck between aplurality of upper teeth and a plurality of lower teeth, when theseating part is inserted into the mouth.

The ground electrode unit may cover at least 95% of the outer sidesurface of the first cover.

An intaglio groove corresponding to a tooth shape of a wearer may beformed in the seating part.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for skin treatment,may include an electric control unit, a mouthpiece for skin treatment,which is electrically connected to the electric control unit andincludes: a frame inserted into a mouth; and a ground electrode unitdisposed in the frame, in which the mouthpiece is changeable tocorrespond to an inner shape of the mouth, and a handpiece electricallyconnected to the electric control unit, in which the handpiece includesa power electrode unit to receive power from the electric control unitand to electrically interact with the ground electrode unit of themouthpiece for the skin treatment such that an AC current in a highfrequency wavelength band flows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other objects and features will become apparent from thefollowing description with reference to the following figures, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1D are views conceptually illustrating a treatment processusing an RF needle electrode;

FIG. 2 is a view conceptually illustrating a target using a conventionalskin treatment apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view conceptually illustrating that an AC current flowsthrough a retaining ligament of a facial surface, when skin treatment isperformed using a skin treatment apparatus, according to the inventiveconcept;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the concept that internal mucous membranesand nerves are distributed in a planar shape while forming mesh networkwhen viewed from the inside of a facial surface of a human body;

FIG. 5 is a view conceptually illustrating a skin treatment apparatus,according to the inventive concept;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views conceptually illustrating a power electrodeunit, according to various embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a view conceptually illustrating the sectional surface and thesystem of a hand piece, according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a mouthpiece for skintreatment, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a mouthpiece for skintreatment, according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 10 is a view conceptually illustrating that a recipient is treatedby using a handpiece and a mouthpiece, according to the inventiveconcept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantage points and features of the inventive concept and a method ofaccomplishing thereof will become apparent from the followingdescription with reference to the following figures, wherein embodimentswill be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.However, the inventive concept may be embodied in various differentforms, and should not be construed as being limited only to theillustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided asexamples so that the inventive concept will be thorough and complete,and will allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope ofthe inventive concept. The inventive concept may be defined by scope ofthe claims.

The terminology used herein is provided for explaining embodiments, butthe inventive concept is not limited thereto. Herein, singular terms areintended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. Furthermore, it will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other components. Thesame reference numerals will be assigned to the same componentthroughout the whole specification, and “and/or” refers to thatcomponents described include not only individual components, but atleast one combination of the components. It will be understood that,although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein todescribe various components, these components should not be limited bythese terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component fromanother component. Thus, a first component to be described below may bea second component without departing from the teachings of the inventiveconcept.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseskilled in the art. It will be further understood that terms, such asthose defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthe relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”,“upper”, and the like, may be used herein to make it easier to describethe relationship between one component and another component. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, when a deviceillustrated in accompanying drawings is reversed, a device provided‘below’ or ‘beneath’ another device may be placed ‘above’ anotherdevice. Accordingly, the term “below” may include both concepts of“below” and “above”. A device may be oriented in a different direction.Accordingly, terminology having relatively spatial concepts may bevariously interpreted depending on orientations.

Hereinafter, an apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “skin treatmentapparatus”) 100 for skin treatment according to the inventive conceptwill be described with reference to accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 is aview conceptually illustrating a skin treatment apparatus, according tothe inventive concept, FIGS. 6A and 6B are views conceptuallyillustrating a power electrode unit, according to various embodiments ofthe inventive concept, FIG. 7 is a view conceptually illustrating thesectional surface and the system of a hand piece, according to theinventive concept, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating amouthpiece for skin treatment, according to an embodiment of theinventive concept, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating amouthpiece for skin treatment, according to another embodiment of theinventive concept, and FIG. 10 is a view conceptually illustrating thata recipient is treated by using a handpiece and a mouthpiece, accordingto the inventive concept.

According to the inventive concept, the skin treatment apparatus 100 mayinclude an electric control unit 10, a handpiece 20, and a mouthpiece30. In addition, according to the inventive concept, the skin treatmentapparatus 100 may further include a pump 40 to inject cooling water or achemical liquid into the handpiece 20.

The electric control unit 10 may electronically control devicesconstituting the skin treatment apparatus 100. To this end, the electriccontrol unit 10 may be electrically connected to the handpiece 20 andthe mouthpiece 30. The electric control unit 10 may control anintensity, wavelength, or direction of an AC current in a high frequencywavelength band, which is applied to a power electrode unit 22 of thehandpiece 20.

The electric control unit 10 may include a display panel 11. Therefore,a doctor may receive various pieces of information necessary for skintreatment. For example, the display panel 11 may display an intensity,wavelength, or direction of the AC current in the high frequencywavelength band, which is currently applied. In addition, the displaypanel 11 may display biometrics information on a deep part of a skintissue.

The electric control unit 10 may include an operating panel 12.Therefore, a doctor may select various modes necessary for skintreatment. The operating panel 12 may be provided in the form of atouchscreen. For example, the doctor may adjust the intensity ofelectrical energy applied to a skin of a recipient by clicking a buttonor an icon of the operating panel 12.

The handpiece 20, which is gripped in the hand of the doctor, may makecontact with the skin of a patient. In this case, the handpiece 20 maygenerate electrical energy, as AC power is applied to the handpiece 20.As the electrical energy is generated between the handpiece 20 and themouthpiece 30, heat is concentrated on the deep part of the skin suchthat skin treatment is performed. The handpiece 20 may include a housing21, the power electrode unit 22, a driving unit 23, and a support unit24.

The housing 21 may be an outer member to form an outer appearance of thehandpiece 20. The housing 21 may be manufactured through plasticinjection molding. However, the inventive concept is not limitedthereto, but the housing 21 may be formed of various materials. Thepower electrode unit 22, the driving unit 23, and the support unit 24may be disposed in the housing 21. In this case, the power electrodeunit 22 may be supported by the support unit 24 to be moved in alongitudinal direction (vertical direction).

The housing 21 may include a first housing 21-1 and a second housing21-2. The first housing 21-1 may be disposed at a lower portion of thehousing 21, and the second housing 21-2 may be disposed at an upperportion of the housing 21. The first housing 21-1 and the second housing21-2 may be screwed with each other.

The power electrode unit 22 and the support unit 24 may be disposed inthe first housing 21-1. To this end, a first chamber “a” and a secondchamber “b” may be formed inside the first housing 21-1. The firstchamber “a” may be disposed at a lower portion of the first housing 21-1and may be connected to an outside through a plurality of holes(openings) formed in the bottom surface of the first housing 21-1. Thesecond chamber “b” may be disposed at an upper portion of the firsthousing 21-1. Meanwhile, the second chamber “b” may have an open partformed in a top surface thereof, and the open part of the second chamber“b” may be closed by a bottom surface of the second housing 21-2.

The power electrode unit 22 may be disposed in the first chamber “a” ofthe first housing 21-1, and the support unit 24 may be disposed in thesecond chamber “b” of the first housing 21-1. When the power electrodeunit 22 moves down, the power electrode unit 22 may be exposed to theoutside through the plurality of openings formed in the bottom surfaceof the first housing 21-1. Meanwhile, the upper portion of the powerelectrode unit 22 may be disposed in the second chamber “b” andsupported by the support unit 24.

Meanwhile, according to the inventive concept, when the pump 400 isadded to the skin treatment apparatus 100, various types of fluid may beinjected into the first chamber “a”. For example, the cooling water andthe chemical liquid may be injected into the first chamber “a” toalleviate skin rash and pyrexy

The driving unit 23 may be disposed inside the second housing 21-2. Inthis case, the driving unit 23 is connected to the support unit 24 atthe boundary between the first housing 21-1 and the second housing 21-2to drive the power electrode unit 22.

The power electrode unit 22 may be a “power terminal” to apply an ACcurrent in a high frequency band. To this end, the power electrode unit22 and a ground electrode unit 32 may be electrically connected to apower source (not illustrated) of the electric control unit 10.

According to the skin treatment apparatus 100 of the inventive concept,high-frequency wavelength band electrical energy having a higher energydensity is applied to the damaged collagen and the aged skin tissue toheat the damaged collagen and the aged skin tissue with thehigher-temperature heat, thereby improving a treatment effect (skinrepair efficiency).

The current applied from the power electrode unit 22 may be refluxedfrom the ground electrode unit 32 to be described later. In other words,the power electrode unit 22 and the ground electrode unit 32 mayelectrically interact with each other such that an AC current in a highfrequency wavelength band flows.

The power electrode unit 22 may include a plurality of needle electrodes22-1. In this case, the power electrode unit 22 may be referred to as“RF needle electrode unit”. Although the following description is maderegarding the power electrode unit 22 including the plurality of needleelectrodes 22-1 by way of example, the power electrode unit 22 accordingto the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the power electrode unit 22 mayinclude a plurality of ball electrodes 22-2. In this case, the pluralityof ball electrodes 22-2 may be rolled on the skin surface. In addition,since the plurality of ball electrodes 22-2 do not need to be driven inthe vertical direction, the driving unit 23 may be omitted.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the power electrode unit 22 mayinclude a plurality of flat electrodes 22-3 having a pattern. In thiscase, an insulating layer 22-4, which is open in the above pattern part,may be stacked on the flat electrode 22-3 to form the pattern. Inaddition, since the flat electrode 22-3 does not need to be driven inthe vertical direction, the driving unit 23 may be omitted.

The power electrode unit 22 may be disposed to be movable in thelongitudinal direction (vertical direction) inside the housing 21. Tothis end, an upper end portion of the power electrode unit 22 isconnected to a support pad 24-2 of the support unit 24 and elasticallysupported in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). A lowerend portion of the power electrode unit 22 may be a tip to penetrate theepidermal layer of a skin. Accordingly, when the power electrode unit 22moves down, electrical energy may be applied to the dermal layer of thedeep part of the skin. The depth of the deep part of the skin, to whichthe electrical energy is applied, may be determined by the stroke of thepower electrode unit 22. The power electrode unit 22 may move up and bereturned after applying electrical energy to the dermal layer of thedeep part of the skin.

Each of the plurality of needle electrodes 22-1 may have the form of aneedle extending in the vertical direction to form a length. A lower endportion of each of the plurality of needle electrodes 22-1 may be a tip.

The plurality of needle electrodes 22-1 may be arranged to form rows andcolumns on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (see FIG.5 ). Therefore, the plurality of needle electrodes 22-1 may uniformlycover a wide range.

The driving unit 23 may drive the power electrode unit 22 in thelongitudinal direction (vertical direction). Various types of devicesmay be used for the driving unit 23. For example, the driving unit 23may be a “step motor”. However, the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, the driving unit 23 may be a “hydraulic orpneumatic cylinder”.

The driving unit 23 may include a rod 23-1. The rod 23-1 may beconnected to the support pad 24-2 of the support unit 24, and maytransmit vertical driving force, which is generated from the drivingunit 23, to the support pad 24-2.

The support unit 24 may elastically support the power electrode unit 22in the vertical direction. In addition, the support unit 24 may operatethe power electrode unit 22 by receiving the driving force of thedriving unit 23. The support unit 24 may include an elastic member 24-1and the support pad 24-2.

The elastic member 24-1 of the support unit 24 may be a “helicalspring”. An upper end portion of the elastic member 24-1 is in contactwith the support pad 24-2, and a lower end portion of the elastic member24-1 is in contact with the bottom surface of the second chamber “b” ofthe first housing 22-1. Accordingly, the elastic member 24-1 mayelastically support the support pad 24-2 in the vertical direction.Meanwhile, as described above, the support pad 24-2 is connected(coupled) to the upper end portion of the power electrode unit 22.Accordingly, the power electrode unit 22 may be elastically supported bythe support unit 24 in the vertical direction.

The mouthpiece 30 may be inserted into the mouth of the patient. The ACpower in the high frequency wavelength band of the handpiece 20 may betransmitted to the mouthpiece 30 through the deep part of the skin. Themouthpiece 30 may include a frame 31 and the ground electrode unit 32.

The mouthpiece 30 is changeable in the shape corresponding to theinternal insertion portion of the mouth. Such a mouthpiece 30 may beformed through an impression taking procedure. Accordingly, themouthpiece 30 may have an outer appearance corresponding to the oralstructure (including a tooth structure) of the patient. In addition, themouthpiece 30 may have an intaglio structure corresponding to the toothstructure of the patient. For example, the mouthpiece 30 is changeableto be in the shape corresponding to an internal portion, which is forinserting the frame 31 and the ground electrode unit 32, of the mouth.For another example, the mouthpiece 30 may have the shape correspondingto a portion for inserting only the frame 31 in the mouth. For anotherexample, the mouthpiece 30 may have the shape corresponding to a portionfor inserting only the ground electrode 32 in the mouth.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 may include a flexiblematerial. For example, the frame 31 of the mouthpiece 30 may include aflexible material. For example, the flexible material may includesilicone or rubber, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 may have at least oneregion changeable along an internal shape of the mouth.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 may include at least oneframe 31, and at least one ground electrode unit 32.

The frame 31 may include a first frame 31-1, a second frame 31-2, and athird frame 31-3.

According to an embodiment, the second frame 31-2 may be connected tothe first frame 31-1 through a first connection part 31-7, and the thirdframe 31-3 may be connected to the second frame 31-2 through a secondconnection part 31-8. In this case, the first connection part 31-7 andthe second connection part 31-8 may include a flexible material. Inaddition, the first connection part 31-7 may be provided at one end ofthe first frame 31-1. In addition, the second connection part 31-8 maybe provided at an opposite end of the first frame 31-1.

According to an another embodiment, the second frame 31-2 may be coupledto the one end of the first frame 31-1 to be foldable, and the thirdframe 31-3 may be connected to the opposite end of the first frame 31-2to be foldable.

While the first frame 31-1, the second frame 31-2, and the third frame31-3 are inserted into the mouth, the first frame 31-1 is inserted intoa front portion of the mouth, and the second frame 31-2 and the thirdframe 31-3 are folded from the first frame 31-1, and may be changed tobe in the shape corresponding to opposite sides of the mouth.

Hereinafter, the frame 3 and the ground electrode unit 32 will bedescribed in detail.

The frame 31 may be inserted into the mouth. In addition, the frame 31may be an outer member to form an outer appearance of the mouthpiece 30.The frame 31 may be formed of a non-conductive material (for example,synthetic resin such as rubber or plastic). This is to preventhigh-frequency electrical energy from being conducted through a dentalimplant of a recipient.

The frame 31 may include a first frame 31-1, a second frame 31-2, and athird frame 31-3. The first frame 31-1, the second frame 31-2, and thethird frame 31-3 may be integrally formed.

The first frame 31-1 may have a shape substantially extending from leftto right based on the recipient (wearer), and may have a curvatureformed at the front portion thereof. At least one front tooth may bedisposed in the first frame 31-1. In other words, a tooth, which isdisposed in front of a plurality of teeth, may be seated in the firstframe 31-1.

The second frame 31-2 may be coupled to be substantially foldablerearward from the one end (right end) portion of the first frame 31-1.At least one right molar may be placed on the second frame 31-2. Inother words, a tooth, which is disposed at the right, of the pluralityof teeth may be seated on the second frame 31-2.

The third frame 31-3 may be coupled to be substantially foldablerearward from an opposite end (left end) portion of the first frame31-1. At least one left molar may be disposed in the third frame 31-3.In other words, a tooth, which is disposed at the left side, theplurality of teeth, may be seated on the second frame 31-3.

A larger area having a height substantially more increased rearward maybe formed in at least a portion of the second frame 31-2 and the thirdframe 31-3. Accordingly, the treatment may proceed while maintaining thefacial skin in a tightly spread state.

At least one of the first frame 31-1, the second frame 31-2, and thethird frame 31-3 may include a first cover 31-4 disposed at an outerside, a second cover 31-5 disposed at an inner side, and a seating part31-6 interposed between the first cover 31-4 and the second cover 31-5.

In other words, the first cover 31-4 of the first frame 31-1 may bedisposed in front of the second cover 31-5 of the first frame 31-1, thefirst cover 31-4 of the second frame 31-2 may be disposed on the rightside of the second cover 31-5 of the second frame 31-2, and the firstcover 31-4 of the third frame 31-3 may be disposed to the left side ofthe second cover 31-5 of the third frame 31-3.

The first cover 31-4 and the second cover 31-5 may surround the outerand inner surfaces of the plurality of teeth. As the seating part 31-6is interposed between the first cover 31-4 and the second cover 31-5,the seating part 31-6 may be stuck between a plurality of upper teethand a plurality of lower teeth. The plurality of upper teeth and theplurality of lower teeth may be stably fixed by the seating part 31-6.To this end, an intaglio groove corresponding to the tooth shape of awearer may be formed in the seating part 31-6.

The ground electrode unit 32 may be a “ground terminal” through which anAC current in a high frequency wavelength band transmitted to the skinis refluxed. In other words, the ground electrode unit 32 may performelectromagnetic interaction with the power electrode unit 22 such thatan AC current in a high frequency wavelength band flows. To this end,the ground electrode unit 32 may be electrically connected to a powersupply (not illustrated) of the electric control unit 10.

Meanwhile, the ground electrode unit 32 may be integrally formed withthe first frame 31-1, the second frame 31-2, and the third frame 31-3while continuously extending, to prevent the AC current, which isgenerated through the electrical interaction with the power electrodeunit 22, from being concentrated on a specific fine part of a facialsurface of the wearer (since the skin treatment apparatus according tothe inventive concept uses high-frequency energy, the user may bescalded or feel pain when the electrical energy is concentrated).

When the ground electrode unit 32 is inserted into an oral cavity, theground electrode unit 32 may be disposed in at least a portion between alip and at least one front tooth, at least a portion between a rightcheek mucosa and at least one right molar, and a portion between a leftcheek mucosa and at least one left molar.

In other words, the ground electrode unit 32 may be integrally formed ata larger part in a mouth and may be continuously distributed. Therefore,according to the skin treatment apparatus 100 of the inventive concept,the electric energy may be prevented from being concentrated on aspecific fine area.

Meanwhile, the ground electrode unit 32 is disposed as close to thepower electrode unit 22 as possible for the electrical interaction. Tothis end, the ground electrode unit 32 may be disposed on an outer sidesurface of the frame 31 or may constitute the outer side surface of theframe 31. In other words, the ground electrode unit 32 may be disposedon the outer side surface of the first cover 31-4 or the outer sidesurface of the first cover 31-4.

Meanwhile, the ground electrode unit 32 may be disposed on anintermediate portion of the outer side surface of the first cover 31-4or may constitute the intermediate portion of the outer side of thefirst cover 31-4 such that an upper portion and a lower portion of theouter side surface of the first cover 31-4 are exposed to the outside.In other words, the height of the first cover 31-4 may be higher thanthe height of the ground electrode unit 32, and upper and lower portionsof the first cover 31-4 may not overlap with the ground electrode unit32.

The position of a dental implant of the wearer is prevented from beingoverlapped with the ground electrode unit 32, thereby preventinghigh-frequency electrical energy from being conducted to the dentalimplant.

Meanwhile, the ground electrode unit 32 may cover at least 95% of theouter side surface of the first cover 31-4. The area of the groundelectrode unit 32 is expanded, thereby covering all retaining ligaments,blood vessels, and intercellular fibrous tissues illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 .

According to an embodiment, the ground electrode unit 32 may include aplurality of ground electrode units. The plurality of ground electrodeunits 32 may be disposed at a specific distance in the frame 30. Forexample, the plurality of ground electrode units 32 may be disposed at aspecific distance along the circumference of the frame 30. The pluralityof ground electrode units 32 may be parallel-connected to the powerelectrode unit 22. In addition, the plurality of ground electrode units32 may apply an alternating current (AC), which is generated throughelectrical-interaction with the power electrode unit 22, to a pluralityof internal portions of the mouth.

According to the skin treatment apparatus of the inventive concept, thepower electrode unit is displaced on the outer side (epidermis) whileinterposing the facial skin between the outer side and teeth, and theground electrode unit is disposed in the inner side (the inside of anoral cavity) such that the power electrode unit and the ground electrodeunit are adjacent to each other. Accordingly, the higher electricalenergy efficiency may be exhibited. In addition, the current may easilyflow through the retaining ligament and the blood vessel, and theintercellular fibrous tissue. Accordingly, the retaining ligament and ablood vessel, and the deep part of the intercellular fibrous tissue maybe utilized as the electricity passage.

Furthermore, since the AC current flows between the power electrode unitand the ground electrode unit while changing directions depending on thecycle. Accordingly, when the AC current flows from the inner side to theouter side, the AC current flows along several strands split from thecentral strand of the retaining ligament, so the electric path extendingfrom the deep part of the skin is made (see FIG. 3 ).

Therefore, according to the skin treatment apparatus of the inventiveconcept, the retaining ligament and the blood vessel, and theintercellular fibrous tissue are utilized as the electricity passage,thereby effectively improving the sagging of the facial surface causedas the skin is aged.

Therefore, according to the skin treatment apparatus of the inventiveconcept, the treatment effect may be increased by using the highfrequency wavelength band having the higher energy density and theheating part may be prevented from being concentrated, so the safety maybe increased.

In addition, as the mouthpiece of the inventive concept is inserted intothe oral cavity, the mucous membrane is also electrically stimulated togenerate new fibrous tissues and elastic tissues, thereby increasingtension and elasticity of the internal mucosa. Thus, since the treatmentproceeds with respect to the facial skin (facial tightening and tenting)maintained tightly spread, the power electrode unit precisely makescontact with the target point, and the electrical energy is efficientlytransmitted, thereby increasing the treatment effect. Furthermore, theupper structure of the sagged upper portion inside the oral cavity istensioned, thereby improving the outer appearance of the aged skin.

Although embodiments of the inventive concept have been described withreference to accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art shouldunderstand that various modifications are possible without departingfrom the technical scope of the inventive concept or without changingthe technical sprite or the subject matter of the inventive concept.Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that the technicalembodiments are provided for the illustrative purpose in all aspects andthe inventive concept is not limited thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mouthpiece of skin treatment, the mouthpiececomprising: a frame inserted into a mouth; and a ground electrode unitdisposed in the frame, wherein the mouthpiece is changeable tocorrespond to an inner shape of the mouth.
 2. The mouthpiece of claim 1,wherein the frame includes at least one frame, wherein the groundelectrode unit includes at least one ground electrode unit.
 3. Themouthpiece of claim 2, wherein the frame includes: a first frame; asecond frame connected to the first frame through a first connectionpart; and a third frame connected to the second frame through a secondconnection part.
 4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpieceincludes a flexible material.
 5. The mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein theframe includes: a first frame; a second frame connected to one end ofthe first frame to be foldable; and a third frame connected to anopposite end of the second frame to be foldable.
 6. The mouthpiece ofclaim 5, wherein the ground electrode unit is consecutively andintegrally formed in the first frame, the second frame, and the thirdfame.
 7. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the ground electrode unitincludes: a plurality of ground electrode units, and wherein theplurality of ground electrode units are disposed at a specific distancein the frame.
 8. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein at least one fronttooth is placed on the first frame, at least one right molar is placedon the second frame, and at least one left molar is placed on the thirdframe, when the frame is inserted into a mouth.
 9. The mouthpiece ofclaim 1, wherein the ground electrode unit is disposed in at least aportion between a lip and at least one front tooth, at least a portionbetween a right cheek mucosa and at least one right molar, and a portionbetween a left cheek mucosa and at least one left molar, when beinginserted into a mouth.
 10. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the groundelectrode unit electrically interacts with an external power electrodeunit such that an alternating current (AC) current in a high frequencywavelength band flows.
 11. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein a frontportion of the first frame has a curvature, and wherein at least aportion of the second frame and the third frame has a large area parthaving a height increased toward a rear portion.
 12. The mouthpiece ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first frame, the second frame, andthe third frame may include a first cover disposed at an outer side, asecond cover disposed at an inner side, and a seating part interposedbetween the first cover and the second cover, and wherein the groundelectrode unit is disposed on at least a portion of an outer sidesurface of the first cover or constitutes the at least a portion of theouter side surface of the first cover.
 13. The mouthpiece of claim 12,wherein the frame includes a nonconductive material, and the groundelectrode unit is disposed on an intermediate portion of the outer sidesurface of the first cover or constitutes the intermediate portion ofthe outer side surface of the first cover such that an upper portion anda lower portion of the outer side surface of the first cover are exposedto an outside, and wherein the seating part is stuck between a pluralityof upper teeth and a plurality of lower teeth, when the seating part isinserted into the mouth.
 14. The mouthpiece of claim 12, wherein theground electrode unit covers at least 95% of the outer side surface ofthe first cover.
 15. The mouthpiece of claim 12, wherein an intagliogroove having a shape corresponding to a tooth shape of a wearer isformed in the seating part.
 16. An apparatus for skin treatment, theapparatus comprising: an electric control unit; a mouthpiece for skintreatment, which is electrically connected to the electric control unitand includes: a frame inserted into a mouth; and a ground electrode unitdisposed in the frame, wherein the mouthpiece is changeable tocorrespond to an inner shape of the mouth, and a handpiece electricallyconnected to the electric control unit, wherein the handpiece includes apower electrode unit configured to receive power from the electriccontrol unit and to electrically interact with the ground electrode unitof the mouthpiece for the skin treatment such that an AC current in ahigh frequency wavelength band flows.